Stories of Mountain Folk began as a Radio Show
WRGC Jackson County Radio • 680 on the Dial
Sylva, NC...and then became an online podcast at iTunes and storiesofmountainfolk.com. by Amy Ammons Garza
Established in 1989 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, the purpose of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA) is to awaken people of all ages to their self-worth, to the wisdom of their ancestors, & the
beauty of their natural environment and culture—to draw attention to the need to conserve, protect and save that heritage. Stories of Mountain Folk is a professionally produced hour-long online podcast featuring storytelling and interviews from Caucasian, African-American, and Cherokee people living in Western North Carolina. Six interviewers—Amy Ammons Garza, Doreyl Ammons Cain, Judy Rhodes, Joe Rhinehart, Mary Sue Casey, and Shawn Crowe— actually go into the homes of the people to assure them a “safe” place to tell their stories, recording the interviews and then designing the program by lacing music throughout the show. Announcing and production is done by radio personality Neal Hearn. The program has now produced the largest oral history collection in Western North Carolina. I cannot begin to tell you of the deep satisfaction I have upon hearing the finished product. Each program stands alone, each story is unique, for each of us is creative and worthy. Each of us is the product of our heritage. It is through realizing the value of who came before that we realize the true importance of who we are today—for we are the individuals who link, bridge and fulfill destiny of all the ages...we make the future. What we do now to encourage, to inspire, to trust, to assist will provide the road the community must travel in future history. In one our interviews, Commadore Casada from Bryson City tells us, as a child when he and his family were traveling to Swain County ninety-five years ago...the ice on the trail through the woods was deep and wide, seemingly impassible. His father chipped a rut through the ice, gave the reigns of the oxen to his wife, and guided the covered wagon over the ice with only one wheel deep in the rut. What a testimony to courage and ingenuity! In another of our interviews, one hundred-year old Jane Nancy Chastine from Tuckasegee smiles deep into our eyes as she tells us about selling all her “’fryers,” her butter, her milk, her fresh vegetables and the abundant fruit from her orchards to the Blackwood Lumber Company back in the ‘30’s, and keeping the money in her stockings. With it she was able to buy over a hundred acres of land--land which many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren live on today. Another wondrous story which brings admiration of the steadfastness of our mountain folk. And in the voice of eighty-eight year-old Annie Lee Bryson from Cane Creek, we hear the wisdom of the ages when she tells us how she learned as a teenager in the ‘40’s to make corn shuck dolls to assist in the upkeep of her family, and is still sharing the essence of that art form today, teaching, and preserving our unique culture.
“Stories of Mountain Folk” is now eight years old, so our library of stories is growing! We have a huge audience who appreciates hearing these marvelous, unique voices and their unassuming humbleness...for they do not realize their tremendous worth! The show has obtained many comments from those who listen online
In order to produce “Stories of Mountain Folk,” the show has been supported, in part, by sponsors who believe in what the show represents by placing advertisements within the show. It costs so much more! We are actively looking for other sponsors who can support the show--partners who would then be assisting in preserving and honoring the Appalachian heritage. If you would like to become a partner with us by donating (tax deductible) in the name of your beloved ancestor, by advertising your business, your upcoming festival or event, please go to wwwstoriesofmountainfolk.com and download the form provided. Thank you so very much! —Amy
